Tamarack Nature Center

---

Tamarack Nature Center, or commonly abbreviated as TNC, is a nature preserve facility, of Ramsey_County,_Minnesota operating through the Ramsey County Parks & Recreation department. Currently it offers a wide range of summer programs, day camps, as well as winter recreation and preschool programs. Located in White Bear Lake, MN, it includes Tamarack Lake, Fish Lake, and several miles of trails. It is included in the Bald Eagle-Otter lakes Regional park, although it is operated through the county Parks & Rec Department. The park-preserve serves almost 120,000 users annually, with a small core staff, and more than 200 volunteers annually. Tamarack Nature Center operates through a combination of earned revenue, levy, and local donations, grants, and community contributions.

History

Prior to the 1700s, Native American Tribes inhabited the region, identified as Dakota Sioux, and Ojibwa tribes. In the 1700s, the Tamarack Lake area was significantly drier, and heavily wooded with elm, ash, black fir, white oak, sugar maple, and prairie pine trees. The swamps were entirely Tamarack and Paper Birch. Other plant life, like moss, marsh marigolds, moccasin flowers, and pitcher plants flourished. Wildlife consisted of wolves, bears, grey foxes, quail, and pin-tailed grouse. Red squirrels, geese, ducks, muskrats, and mink were also common, and are still very common today. Between 1860 and 1940, Tamarack trees were logged extensively to build homes, notably the Charles_P._Noyes_Cottage, or the Fillebown House, constructed in 1879.

In the 1920s, the area was farmed extensively, resulting in the loss of bears, large game, and other wildlife. Crops included asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, onions, tomatoes, radishes, and tree fruits. As many as 150 cows grazed the area, as well as goats, and pigs, with a pigpen near Tamarack Lake. Elm, maple, ash, pine, and birch trees were still present, but the signature tamarack trees were almost completely logged out. Other plant life, like the pitcher plants, marigolds, moccasin flowers, and others, continued to flourish in other parts of the area.

As the region's population grew, in the 1940s, white-tailed deer became much more abundant, due to the changing landscape. In the 1970s, most of the land that is now Tamarack Nature Center was donated by the Barnes family, longtime residents of the now White Bear Lake area. Their donation, and family legacy is commemorated on the trails. Tamarack Nature Center was formed, as an initiative, and began to staff and develop the grounds, largely in part to many local volunteers. Miles of trails and floating boardwalk were completed, a dock was added, and the original interpretive program trailer was placed on site. Most of these trails are still the current trails encompassing the grounds today. Funds were requested for additional staff, and for efforts in eliminating horseback riding, poaching, and snowmobile riding, as well as motorists, and motorcyclists. In 1980, Tamarack Nature center offered its first public programs, welcoming 5,500 visitors through local schools, and community outreach. In 1982, TNC began to outgrow their temporary buildings, and design began on a larger, permanent building.

In 1990, the Trailhead building was completed, spanning 4,300 square feet. Additional trails were added, another 2.5 miles, and cross-country ski adaptions were made, and largely popular during the winter. Later in the 90s, the first paved trail was added, as well as an amphitheater, and observation deck. Visitor numbers continued to grow, increasing to as many as 20,000 annually.

Current Facilities and Programming

Tamarack Nature Center was renovated in 2012, adding additional classes and meeting space. Winter skiing and snowshoeing programs were added, as well as private event space rental, including birthday parties. In 2011, the Discovery Hollow natural play-area was added. Development was a focus annually, getting a mostly paved parking lot, public pavilion additions, as well as a informative gardening operation.

Discovery Hollow

Now the main attraction at Tamarack Nature Center, the Discovery Hollow offers a wide array of activity for youth, targeted for ages 4-10 years old. Activities include a climbing area, water feature, damming experimentation, and a lot of snapshots to ecological activity in the area. Adjacent is the Tamarack Garden Center, which features displays in cross planting, irrigation, and habits for renewable gardens. Open 7:30A to dusk daily, the Discovery Hollow draws both families and the general public, as well as both small and large groups, like schools, daycare, public outreach, and other camps. For individuals, the Hollow is completely free to the public. (Groups and organizations are required to register.)

Summer Programs

To meet rising demand, TNC has consistently expanded their summer program offerings. Week-long day camps, Youth-and-Adult programs, and single day events are the most popular, with other free programs offered as well. Target ages rage from 3 years, to 11 years old. Home-school programs are also offered, year round. 6 unique trails are available, through wooded, prairie, and marsh environments, with a combination of paved, grass, and boardwalk paths. Common wildlife spotted include ground squirrels, white-tailed deer, turkeys, geese, ducks, snakes, and monarch butterflies. Other activities include navigating an orienteering course, garden tutorials, and recently, photography, beekeeping, and yoga classes have been added.

Winter Recreation

Tamarack Nature Center stays open all months of the year, and during the snow-covered months, offers Nordic Ski and Snow Shoe rental to the public. Cross Country skiing is also popular, especially on the longer trails. Group and instructional programs for skiing and snowshoeing are available. TNC also offers unique events for Halloween, and a largely popular Maple Syrup harvest days. Home-school and Youth-Adult programs are continued year round, as well as free informational sessions offered by the naturalists. 

School Programs

In coordination with White Bear Lake Area Schools, preschool programs have been offered since 2005. Classes focus on a combination of natural education, and outdoor play. Class offerings have continued to expand as demand has increased. Other local schools routinely make Tamarack Nature Center a field trip, and curriculum is incorporated throughout the school year.

References

This article "Tamarack Nature Center" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Tamarack Nature Center. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

---